Our Team

Stewart Ower

BSc (Hons), MCIWEM, C.WEM, Hon Member of UK & Eire Spill

Managing Director

Greggs Order: Bacon Roll x 2 with extra bacon.

Stewart has over 30 years experience as an environmental regulator and consultant. Operating at an international level, Stewart is a board member of the UK & Eire Spill Association and is the current Chairman of the International Spill Accreditation Scheme which sets and monitors standards within the spill response industry.

As Managing Director of Compass, Stewart splits his time between running the business and delivering spill response training to spill response professionals and specialist Fire & Rescue Service personnel.

Hobbies: Painting, Cooking and collecting old Compasses!

Helen Ower

First Aider and Fire Marshall

Director/Accounts

Greggs Order: N/A - Goes to Nero instead.

Helen runs a tight ship managing the support side of the business ensuring we get paid on time and we all look great in our branded PPE!

As joint owner of the business, Helen brings her previous extensive experience as a business manager and administrator to her role at Compass, making sure everything runs smoothly.

Hobbies: Socialising with friends and country pubs!

MATTHEW THOMAS

BSc (Hons), PGCert, PIEMA, TechIOSH, NEBOSH, DGSA

Operations Director

Greggs Order: Sausage & Bean Melt

Matt is a health, safety and environment professional with over 15 years of experience working in public sector organisations and global consultancies.

Matt’s areas of expertise include Oil and Chemical Spill Management, Geo-Environmental Assessment, Dangerous Goods Safety Advice (DGSA) and Environmental Law.

Hobbies: Keen follower of boxing & tending his allotment.

HARRY OWER

BA (Hons), MSc, CAA Drone Pilot

Environmental Consultant

Greggs Order: Caramel Custard Doughnut

Harry enjoys nothing more than being outside delivering work! He is our boots on the ground consultant and is often the first on the scene following a spillage incident. He has built a great reputation with customers as someone who gets things done!

When he’s not out on a spill, you can find Harry with his head down a drain or up in the sky flying the Compass drone.

Hobbies: Archaeology & Squash.

JAMES HARRINGTON

BA (Hons)

Graduate Environmental Consultant

Greggs Order: Bacon & Omelette Roll

After graduating from the University of Exeter, James came on board with Compass in 2023 as a Graduate Environmental Consultant.

After learning the trade, he is now flying solo with his own projects to manage, often visiting multiple sites a day in his van! If you see him out on the road make sure you wave as he drives passed!

Hobbies: Following the trials and tribulations of Leeds Utd.

tess

House-Trained and fully vaccinated

Head of Security & Biscuits

Greggs Order: Sausage Roll(s)

We are fortunate enough to be joined in the office by Tess on a part-time basis. Although Springer Spaniels are historically trained as gun-dogs, Tess is not a fan of loud noises which makes her perfect for the role of Head of Security.

Hobbies: Chasing Squirrels and watching Downton Abbey

Johnny CATCHPOLE

BSc (Hons)

Head of Training Division

Greggs Order: Mexican Chicken Oval Bite

Johnny has the very important job of heading up our training division here at Compass! He has vast experience of dealing with spillages of all shapes and sizes and managing them.

When not delivering our range of spill training courses to our existing customers, Johnny is working hard behind the scenes to further develop our training offering.

Hobbies: Surfing (despite living in the worst place to do it).

Tom ower

BA (Hons)

Business Development & Marketing

Greggs Order: Chicken Bake

Tom enjoys nothing more than being inside delivering work! Since joining Compass, Tom has played a key role in the development of new initiatives and ensuring that our online presence is looking squeaky clean!

Tom creates all of our marketing collateral and makes sure we stand out from the crowd at exhibitions and events we attend.

Hobbies: Weird sports & cheese tasting.

OISIN O’SHAUGHNESST

Completing a Degree Apprenticeship

Apprentice Environmental Technician

Greggs Order: Breakfast Baguette

We met Oisin when he knocked on our door as a student looking for work experience. After two successful placements with us, he has decided to complete a Degree Apprenticeship as an Environmental Practitioner.

Oisin spends four days working for us here at Compass learning practical field skills and goes to university in London one day a week to complete his studies!

Hobbies: Anything to do with cars and playing rugby.